Cambridgeshire online lottery

Earlier this year (January 2019) we reported that Cambridgeshire County Council were moving towards a Cambridgeshire online lottery in support of local good causes.

The County has since run a number of focus groups and are planning to launch the lottery over the summer of 2019.

Over 30 local authorities across the UK have invested in online lotteries, achieving £130,000 in a two year period for various good causes.

Cambridgeshire County Council estimate that within a 24 month period, 9,779 prospective players will provide approximately £254,000 for good causes across the County (based upon a population estimate of 651,000 and a take up rate of 1.5%).

How will it work?

Online tickets will be available at £1.00 per week.

50% of the price of a ticket will go towards individual or specific listed good causes.

10% will go towards a community fund (which will be allocated to good causes chosen by elected members).

20% will go towards players and will act as prize money (the maximum prize that can be won is £25,000).

17% will go towards the Lottery Provider (a company known as Gatherwell).

3% is required for VAT compliance.

Cambridgeshire based organisations can list themselves as a good cause providing they benefit or provide services and activities across the 5 districts which constitute the County.

Organisations will need a formal constitution or a set of rules.

Organisations will also need a bank account with at least 2 unrelated signatories.

More details on how to list an organisation as a good cause can be viewed here:

Potential issues for voluntary organisations:

Organisations will need to think carefully about their fundraising strategy. If donors already support an organisation financially then redirecting them through the lottery could mean a reduction in income (as 50% only of the ticket price is directed towards specific good causes). However, the online lottery could be a way of attracting new and different potential donors, so how this is marketed needs to be well thought through and defined. Any organisations that need help with this can contact Support Cambridgeshire partners Hunts Forum (info@huntsforum.org.uk) or Cambridge CVS (alan@cambridgecvs.org.uk).

Cambridgeshire County Council have stated that the lottery is an additional source of funding for good causes and will not impact upon current grant processes (although there are plenty of other external factors which could).

If you wish to have your say about the proposed lottery you still have time: Simply E-Mail cambslottery@cambridgeshire.gov.uk